I feel like a serious minority on the chat boards, so be nice to the new girl!

I've been dabbling with disc dyeing for a while now, and it's gotten some attention at the local courses. Not only do I have people asking me to dye discs for them, but the smaller tournaments have asked me if I would be interested in dyeing tournament stamps and prize discs for them.

I will be making the plotter investment shortly (it's nice to have connections in the sign-making industry. I'm getting a used plotter for next to nothing in a couple weeks), and I wanted to post a couple pictures of my hand-cut, single color dyes.

Also, if anyone would be willing to engage me in a discussion about multi-color dyes, I would appreciate the direction. I have my own dye formula pretty much figured out, but I'm nervous about embarking on a multi-colored venture until I have a better sense of how it works.

In addition, I am more than willing to take orders for custom-dyed discs. I work with a local disc golf shop that provides me with any disc in any color (and is even willing to special order for me), so feel free to PM me with any questions, or e-mail me at schwartz.kathryn@gmail.com.

Because I am getting a plotter, I know that I will be able to do more complex work and utilize different colors.

I also know that I have to work from darkest color to lightest color. However, my concern is that, after I pull the first pieces of vinyl and start the first color, the other cuts I have made in the vinyl will bleed. Must I cover the rest of the design while I dye each color?

In addition, if I dye black, then blue, then yellow, will the yellow turn the blue dye green? Should I be covering or remasking in this instance as well?

Also, I have only ever used a 'dipping' method - flipping the disc upsidown in a pot of steaming Rit, though I have seen people on here make mention of using a thicker rit mixture and painting it on. Is the color as consistent as liquid when done that way?

I know these are a lot of questions, but there's only so much a tutorial guide can mention!

DGFlyGirl wrote:Because I am getting a plotter, I know that I will be able to do more complex work and utilize different colors. I also know that I have to work from darkest color to lightest color. However, my concern is that, after I pull the first pieces of vinyl and start the first color, the other cuts I have made in the vinyl will bleed. Must I cover the rest of the design while I dye each color?

If all of your image is completely cut out when you're doing your first color, the only bleeding you should get is the lines between the cuts will get each color you die. Quick example...Captain America shield. Red and blue dye on a white disc. You cover the white star in the middle with vinyl and several of the outside rings that will be white. Dye your blue first since it's darker. Next you need red, but you'll have to cover the blue back up because if you don't your blue is going to turn into Blue + Red. Which Im not sure what that is on the color wheel, but it could be a blood stained brownish red.

If you were doing a 2 color design with Black and any other color, it's easy. Do the black first and then your other color second. The 2nd color is going to dye over the black, which'll just make it darker. You should haven't problems with bleeds if your cut lines are all smooth and precise, and considering you pressed all the edges firmly onto the disc.

DGFlyGirl wrote:In addition, if I dye black, then blue, then yellow, will the yellow turn the blue dye green? Should I be covering or remasking in this instance as well?

Yes, this is subjective, but you will need to cover them if they are lighter colors. I've done some LSU dyes doing purple first, and then just going ahead and doing yellow on top of the purple. The purple changed a little, but it wasn't really dramatic because I left it in the pan just long enough to let the yellow absorb and show up on the disc. I didn't let the yellow absorb and be super intense, thus changing the purple too much from the original intention. If you're talking about lighter colors (Yellows, light blues, light greens)... Then yes, remasking is the best way to preserve the intended color you're aiming for for doing a multi colored dye.

DGFlyGirl wrote:Also, I have only ever used a 'dipping' method - flipping the disc upsidown in a pot of steaming Rit, though I have seen people on here make mention of using a thicker rit mixture and painting it on. Is the color as consistent as liquid when done that way?

You can use whatever works for you. Some ppl use dye mixed with dishwashing detergent to thicken it up. I've done some hand painted dyes with acetone and straight rit before. It's a little runny, but it's controllable. Also, you have to be careful with using acetone with your mix because if it's too strong it'll start to eat at your vinyl masking for your dye outline. It'll pull the edges away from the disc and that perfect edge that your masking is preserving is compromised.

Acid, thanks for the help. I'll be testing out the multi-colors in the next couple days, starting with black + color and finishing with three or more.

I was hoping that rit+acetone (or detergent) mixture would at least work passably well. More than anything I would like to use it for touch-ups, detailing, and spaces that could use color, but not enough for a full dip.

Any guesses as to how long dye miixtures can keep? I've read that people store their dyes, but how long do they stay useful?

AciDBatH666 wrote:Also, you have to be careful with using acetone with your mix because if it's too strong it'll start to eat at your vinyl masking for your dye outline. It'll pull the edges away from the disc and that perfect edge that your masking is preserving is compromised.

Question about this: Would using something dilute (like nail polish remover) work and be lower risk? Or does it have to be full strength acetone?

I've been using the same black, blue, red, yellow, gold, and purple for nearly 9 months. Just add water here and there when I have to do big batches of dyes all in a row and I turn up the heat a little more than usual to get the dyes to absorb faster.

AciDBatH666 wrote:Also, you have to be careful with using acetone with your mix because if it's too strong it'll start to eat at your vinyl masking for your dye outline. It'll pull the edges away from the disc and that perfect edge that your masking is preserving is compromised.

Question about this: Would using something dilute (like nail polish remover) work and be lower risk? Or does it have to be full strength acetone?

I use acetone because it's what I started doing dyes with. You could put it in something else and dilute it. But I know for a fact that when I put some rit crystals in some acetone and brush it into a disc, I get the exact texture I'm looking for. It's not great for some things, but when I wanna brush on some colors in small spots it's what I do. Everyone is different tho. Try things out. Me and Chuck and some other ppl on here are always telling ppl to try it out, and tell everyone on the forum what your results are.

AciDBatH666 wrote: I use acetone because it's what I started doing dyes with. You could put it in something else and dilute it. But I know for a fact that when I put some rit crystals in some acetone and brush it into a disc, I get the exact texture I'm looking for. It's not great for some things, but when I wanna brush on some colors in small spots it's what I do.

Do the crystals dissolve? If not, do you try and only use the dyed water, or do you scoop crystals too? (I know it's a nit-picky question )

AciDBatH666 wrote: I use acetone because it's what I started doing dyes with. You could put it in something else and dilute it. But I know for a fact that when I put some rit crystals in some acetone and brush it into a disc, I get the exact texture I'm looking for. It's not great for some things, but when I wanna brush on some colors in small spots it's what I do.

Do the crystals dissolve? If not, do you try and only use the dyed water, or do you scoop crystals too? (I know it's a nit-picky question )

I get it all on the disc. Crystals and all. Some of it dissolves, some doesnt. When I do this kind of brush on technique (Not very often, I've done about 200 dyes and only 4-5 have been brush on), i just put a little bit of rit in a small container, and put a small amount of acetone in it. The acetone will eventually evaporate, so technically you could just keep putting acetone in your container each time you'd want to use that color. It's not going to give you a solid color tho. You'd have to make a lot of passes to stain your dye on to make it look smooth. But for small things it's just my preferred technique. It's not for everyone. But I'm experienced with how fast it works, and what mistakes not to make. It's a trial and error thing.